Unveiling the Horizon for the Future of the Internet: Insights from Glasgow and Swansea Workshops

On 5 March and 17 April 2024, PETRAS hosted over 70 experts representing a broad mix of government, industry, and academic experts at the Future of the Internet Workshops at the Sir Alwyn Williams Building, University of Glasgow, UK and the Great Hall, Bay Campus, Swansea University, UK respectively. The UK EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) commissioned the workshops. The objective of the workshops was to convene stakeholders to discuss the key challenges and drivers that will shape the future of the Internet, such as semiconductor technology and telecommunications infrastructure, data privacy concerns, cybersecurity threats, interoperability issues, and standards gaps. The workshop examined both technical and sociotechnical aspects, as well as the implications of future Internet technologies. The future of the internet is a multifaceted topic, encompassing technological, sociopolitical, and economic dimensions. The key discussions from these workshops provided a comprehensive overview of the critical themes and insights that could shape the future of the Internet. The key takeaways from the workshops are summarised below.

Future Technologies for a Global Interconnection Medium

One of the core discussions at the Glasgow workshop revolved around the challenges posed by the increasing diversity of Internet systems. Diversity brings difficulties to designing safety within safety-critical contexts (e.g., medical and automotive contexts) where failure can be critical, and safety should be designed differently from that of non-safety-critical contexts. Participants highlighted the need for robust safety protocols, particularly for safety-critical applications.  The adoption of 6G in private networks was considered likely, raising significant security and privacy concerns. There was a consensus on the importance of developing end-to-end network data plane languages and tools to support diverse application processing, from multimedia delivery to ultra-low-latency autonomous systems.

Softwarisation, AI, and Cybersecurity

The intersection of softwarisation, AI, and cybersecurity was another major topic of discussion. AI’s potential to enhance real-time prediction and detection in cybersecurity was acknowledged. However, it also introduced latency and privacy issues. The balance between flexibility and complexity was a recurring theme, particularly in the context of software-defined networking (SDN) principles. Participants stressed the need for lightweight solutions for AI and cybersecurity in resource-constrained environments, such as IoT systems.

Standards, Regulations and the Evolution of the Future Internet

The slow adoption of core network technologies and the role of standardisation bodies were discussed extensively. While there is a need to accelerate post-standardisation technology adoption, it is crucial to ensure that guidelines are based on practical experiences. The workshop emphasised the importance of industry-academia collaboration and flexible standardisation approaches, including the use of APIs and programming flexibility to allow faster service evolution and deployment.

Adapting regulatory frameworks to keep pace with technological advancements was a significant concern. The workshops underscored the importance of ensuring interoperability, innovation, and user rights within regulatory and policy frameworks. Collaboration among stakeholders and reducing barriers to participation in standards bodies were considered essential steps towards effective regulation.

The strategic role of the UK in shaping global internet standards and regulatory frameworks was a major theme. There was consensus on the need for the UK to lead international standardisation efforts and ensure that privacy, ethics, inclusivity, and personal control are central to future standards. Collaboration among regulatory bodies and fostering creativity in regulation were deemed crucial steps.

Building End-to-End Services on Top of Connectivity

Balancing security, privacy, and performance in connectivity services was a critical discussion point. Participants explored the diverse user expectations and the potential for value-added services, such as 5G for autonomous driving. There was a recognition of the hidden costs of connectivity and the need for a balanced approach to security and privacy that does not compromise performance.

Centralisation vs. Distribution

The Glasgow workshop highlighted the debate between centralised and decentralised systems. Centralised systems offer efficiency but pose risks of single points of failure. Decentralised systems are more scalable but challenging to implement. The discussion also touched on the socio-political challenges of data ownership and the power dynamics between large corporations and governments.

Roles of Semiconductor Technology and Telecommunications Infrastructure

The Swansea workshop delved into the roles of semiconductor technology and telecommunications infrastructure in shaping the future Internet. Participants discussed the challenges posed by semiconductor supply chain disruptions and spectrum allocation. There was a call for onshoring, digital twins, and novel materials to overcome hardware and supply chain challenges. Long-term investments and cross-functional working groups were seen as vital for tackling fragmentation in the sector.

Quantum Computing, AI, Softwarisation, and Immersive Technologies

The integration of emerging technologies, such as quantum computing, AI, and immersive technologies, into the Internet’s architecture was a focal point at the Swansea workshop. Edge technologies were highlighted as crucial for enhancing network performance and reducing reliance on cloud processing. The need for robust privacy and ethical guidelines and solutions for legacy issues was emphasised.

Applications of the Future Internet in Different Sectors

Leveraging Internet technologies to improve service delivery, enhance efficiency, and promote resilience across various sectors was a key discussion topic. Participants explored the opportunities of future Internet in healthcare, transportation, and critical national infrastructure, among others. However, the importance of addressing data privacy, cybersecurity threats, and infrastructure interoperability issues was also highlighted to realise the transformative potential of the future Internet.

Internet of Things and Cyber Resilience

Enhancing cyber resilience in the context of expanding IoT applications was a critical discussion. Strategies to fortify the Internet against cyber-attacks, such as automated responses and the use of AI for zero-day attack detection, were explored. The importance of human involvement in cybersecurity alongside AI was emphasised, along with the need to measure attack costs and justify resilience measures.

The Glasgow and Swansea workshops provided invaluable insights into the multidisciplinary challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the Internet. From integrating emerging technologies to balancing security and performance, and addressing regulatory frameworks, the discussions underscored the need for a strategic approach to developing resilient, secure, and inclusive internet technologies. As we move forward, continued collaboration among academia, industry, and policymakers will be essential to navigate the complexities and realise the full potential of the future internet.